Greetings Mark and list-- Generally, the more megapixels the better. That being said, for BEST macro performance, I suspect a SLR digital camera like the Canon EOS Rebel and the Nikon version of the concept would be best for close-ups and Macro close-ups. These aren't $7,000 cameras, but they are uncomfortably close to $1,000. The advantage of this design is of course that the lenses are interchangeable in the same way as they are on a film-type SLR camera, providing that additional level of flexibility. In addition, the more CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) the camera incorporates, the better the resolution tends to be. As I understand from friends of mine who are more photography-oriented than I, both the Nikon and the Canon are very good values. I guess ultimately it boils down to 'how serious do you take your photography?' Incidentally, the Olympus 5.0 Megapixel model mentioned by another poster is an extremely flexible camera with a setting that allows 'pushing the f-stop', shutter speed and other "high-end" adjustments. I use such a model for taking the pictures I transfer to a business card template for the purpose of producing staff ID cards at my school. I must do nearly 100 every year. I do have to "wash" each picture through 2 software packages to decrease their dimensions, and tweak their tint and focus, and this is where it is nice to have the 5 megapixel resolution. There is enough digital info there to work with. HTH, Paul A. Shippert Library/Media Specialist - Margaret Brent Middle School ----------------------------------- and I'm hovering like a fly waiting for the windshield on the freeway." Genesis ----------------------------------- -------------- Original message -------------- > I have to decided to move up from my 10 dollar, after rebates, digital > camera. I am thinking about a Cannon or a Nikon. Close ups are important to > me. I like to take pictures of parts, in the field, for later reference, > and or explanations. I understand the difference between Optical Zoom and > digital zoom. But how can I tell, in the specifications, if digital cameras > support close ups like a SLR micro lens will do. > > I see a Cannon Powershot S1 IS on sale, I am guessing this must becoming a > older model. But I likes the looks of it and It does have 10X optical zoom > and 3.2 Megapixals. Will 3.2 be enough to print out good quality 10X8 > prints. I understand that Megapixals is more information which makes for > better prints for average use .... so do I need more then 3.2 MegaPixals. > > Thanks! > > Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to > Digest mode - visit our web site: > http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to Digest mode - visit our web site: http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml